State Japanese Speech Contest

Entry Qualifications

Text Requirements

Division I  Poetry Recitation (Beginner)

• First placement at Regional Contest
• Currently enrolled in a Japanese program in Texas
• Not be a native speaker of Japanese

• All Middle School students are allowed to enter two times (maximum).
• High School students at novice level or those with less than two years of Japanese studies in school who did not previously participate in the poem category.
• 中学生は学年にかかわらず第１部門に２回まで出場できるが高校入学時は初級と見なす。
  
  2) 初級 レベルの高校生、または、高校での日本語学習が２年以下かつ詩の暗誦部門の未経験者の高校生。

Content :
Contestants must memorize the poem specified for his/her leve (PDF). Each contestant should say the title and the author of the poem, then recite the poem for memory. The use of notes is not allowed.

Time Limit :
The time limit for Division I is three minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches which are over the time limit.

Evaluation Criteria:
Poetry recitation will be judged on pronunciation, flow and clarity, accuracy of memorization, and overall delivery and presentation.

Division I Poetry Recitation (Intermediate)

• First placement at Regional Contest
• Currently enrolled in a Japanese program in Texas
• Not be a native speaker of Japanese
• High School students at intermediate level or
  
  2) High School students with minimum 2 years but less than 3 years of Japanese studies in school, who have previously participated once before in the poem category.
  
  中級 レベルの高校生 または 高校での日本語学習が２年以上３年未満の高校生で詩の暗誦部門で過去に一度、出場経験のある生徒。

Content :
Contestants must memorize the poem specified for his/her leve (PDF). Each contestant should say the title and the author of the poem, then recite the poem for memory. The use of notes is not allowed.

Time Limit :
The time limit for Division I is three minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches which are over the time limit.

Evaluation Criteria:
Poetry recitation will be judged on pronunciation, flow and clarity, accuracy of memorization, and overall delivery and presentation.

Division II : Speech with text Beginner’s level

• Middle School students at the higher proficiency level with teacher’s recommendation.
• High School students at intermediate level or High School students with minimum 2 years but less than 3 years of Japanese studies in school who already participated the poetry division or equivalent.
• 中学生で上達度が高いと思われる学習者は教師の推薦により、出場できる。具体的なレベル は下記中級レベルに近いレベルとし、参照とする。
• 中級 レベルの高校生または高校での日本語学習が２年以上３年未満の高校生で 詩の暗誦部門で過去に二度の出場経験のある高校生

Content :
The Speech must be original, written by the contestant and not previously recited elsewhere. The theme must be chosen by the contestant.

Time Limit :
The time limit is three minutes, and the contestant must speak for at least two minutes.
Notes:
Contestants may use written materials or notes.

Evaluation Criteria:
The Speech at this level will be judged on overall ability and enthusiasm.

Division III: Free Speech Intermediate level

• Must be top two winners of Japanese contest held in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio between February 1, 
  2012 and February 28, 2012
• High School students at intermediate level and/or above, or High School students with minimum 3 years but less than 4 years of Japanese studies in school.
• High School students who have previously participated DIV II before.
• 中級レベルまたはそれ以上 の高校生、または高校での日本語学習が３年以上４年未満の高校生、または DIV.II に既に出場経験のある高校生 。
• Currently enrolled in a Japanese program in Texas
• Not be a native speaker of Japanese
• Not have a Japanese parent
• Not have had more than six months of schooling in Japan after age six.

Content :
The Speech must be original, written by the contestant and not previously recited elsewhere. The theme must be chosen by the contestant. Personal experience and
anecdote are welcomed and encouraged.

Time Limit :
The time limit is three minutes, and the contestant must speak for at least two minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches which are over or under the time limit.

Notes:
Contestants may use written materials or notes, but those who deliver their speeches without them will be scored higher than those who rely on notes.
Evaluation Criteria:
Free Speeches will be judged on pronunciation, grammatical ability, overall ability, content, delivery, creativity, enthusiasm, and understanding.

Division  IV: Free Speech College & University- Advanced level

• First or Second placement at  Japanese language speech contest held in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio between February 1, 2012 and February 28, 2012
• Be a resident in Texas
• Currently enrolled in a Japanese program in Texas
• Not be a native speaker of Japanese

Content :
The Speech must be original, written by the contestant and not previously recited elsewhere. The theme must be chosen by the contestant. Personal experience and
anecdote are welcomed and encouraged.

Time Limit:
The time limit is three minutes, and the contestant must speak for at least two minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches which are over or under the time limit.

Notes:
Contestants may use written materials or notes, but those who deliver their speeches without them will be scored higher than those who rely on notes.

Evaluation Criteria:
Free Speeches will be judged on pronunciation, grammatical ability, overall ability, content, delivery, creativity, enthusiasm, and understanding.

Division V: Adult Division

• Be a resident in Texas
• Not be a native speaker of Japanese

Content :
The Speech must be original, written by the contestant and not previously recited elsewhere. The theme must be chosen by the contestant. Personal experience and
anecdote are welcomed and encouraged.

Time Limit :
The time limit is three minutes, and the contestant must speak for at least two minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches which are over or under the time limit.

Notes:
Contestants may use written materials or notes, but those who deliver their speeches without them will be scored higher than those who rely on notes.

Evaluation Criteria:
Free Speeches will be judged on pronunciation, grammatical ability, overall ability, content, delivery, creativity, enthusiasm, and understanding.